I nternational students often attended Harding with the intention of gaining skills they could then use back at home. Freshman Walton scholar Luis Chinchilla came all the way from Guatemala to attend Harding as a global economic development major. Chinchilla knew from his past experience running an agricultural business in Guatemala that he wanted to dedicate himself to helping his countrymen improve their economic situation by building small businesses of their own. To that end, he participated heavily in NiMA, "a nonprofit organization that emphasizes the importance not only of sharing the gospel but also of enabling communities to have a sustainable living," as stated on the NiMA website. The organization was established in the spring of 2012 by the College of Business Administration, of which Chinchilla was a part. "NiMA prepares and inspires someone to go out unto the world and change it, make it better through innovative ideas and unique opportunities," freshman global economic development major Phoebe Cunningham said. Chinchilla first worked with his uncle as a translator at Catalyst Resources International in Guatemala, where his uncle worked. He then worked with his uncle to build a business from scratch. "Working with them helped me gain some experience in the field of agriculture and business development," Chinchilla said. "The business my uncle is running back in Guatemala is not my own. I helped them to build it in a rural community of Guatemala City. My uncle came up with the idea of building aquaponics and chicken coops for those people, so 172 I People that they can make some money and maintain their family." The goal of the business was to help people living in rural areas support their families without being dependent on an organization. Chinchilla said that the company worked directly with people to teach them how to use their skills in sustainable ways to bring in a steady income and to improve their living situations. He said that the most successful part of the business was the aquaponics, a sustainable food production system incorporating both aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaponics essentially meant raising aquatic animals and plants. According to Chinchilla, though the process seemed complicated, it was really a simple and sustainable way for families to bring in income and provide for themselves simultaneously. Chinchilla and the company completed three of these aquaponic projects, and he said that the families clearly reaped benefits from them. Chinchilla was a hardworking person, according to freshman computer science major Amadeus Sanchez, who dedicated his time and energy to gaining skills to help his fellow Guatemalans. He planned to return home and grow his uncle's business after graduation. "I feel that our major is intended for people who are passionate about business, the world, and the many people involved in both, so I think Luis will be a great benefit to his home through his experiences with NiMA and our business college," Cunningham said. Alexis Hosticka
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